Chiefs Already Teasing Big Role for New Arrival

Kansas City Chiefs fans have been patiently awaiting D.J. Humphries' debut as the left tackle position continues to be a mess. The veteran blocker joined the Chiefs for the remainder of the season last month, however, he needed some time to work with the coaches and integrate himself into the roster.

Fortunately, all signs point to Humphries potentially debuting against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. If the Chiefs' newest tackle is healthy enough to dress for Sunday Night Football, it looks like Andy Reid & Co. have plans to thrust him into an important role.

Chiefs News: Andy Reid Wants DJ Humphries to Be 'The Guy'

Following Wednesday's practice, Reid talked to the media about what he expects from Humphries going forward. According to A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman, the Chiefs coach is confident that the 30-year-old LT can handle any duties assigned to him.

"Eventually, you want to get someone in there who does a good job and can stay in there and be that guy," Reid told reporters. "We knew going in with (Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia) there would be some hiccups... We hope D.J. can be that guy."

That's a pretty endorsement by Reid for a player who hasn't suited up since tearing his ACL in Week 17 of the 2023 season. Having said that, it's clear that the Chiefs have seen enough from Humphries to consider him for the starting LT job down the stretch.

Regardless of how the former Pro Bowl blocker performs, it'll be hard to do worse than the pass protection Kansas City is already getting on its left side. Pro Football Focus is giving Morris an abysmal 54.0 pass block grade through 13 weeks while 2024 second-rounder Suamataia has received a mark of 33.2 as a pass blocker.

Meanwhile, Humphries played to a 68.4 pass block grade last season before suffering his ACL tear. That's actually better than the performance he had during his 2021 Pro Bowl campaign (65.5).

More will be known about Humphries' Week 14 status as we get closer to the loomingSunday Night Football showdown. The AFC West rivals previously met at SoFi Stadium in Week 4, ending in the Chiefs leaving Los Angeles with a 17-10 win over the Chargers.

Fortunately, there's a good chance that Humphries will have some celebrating to do in a potential Arrowhead Stadium debut. FanDuel Sportsbook is currently listing the Chiefs as 3.5-point favorites over the Chargers following Wednesday's practice.

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